Basilan town returns to normal after attack

The situation in Tipo-Tipo has returned to normal after gunmen attacked the town center on Tuesday, with evacuees returning to their homes and traders reopening their businesses, Basilan Gov. Mujiv Hataman said yesterday.

- By ROEL PAREÑO

Security was tightened around the province as Philippine National Police personnel intensified peacekeeping and investigative operations, acting PNP chief Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said.

Although the Moro Islamic Liberation Front was earlier tagged in the attack, the MILF denied any involvement, saying its members who participated acted on their own and were not sanctioned by the organization.

"If there were members (who participated), they were on their own, perhaps because they were relatives," said Hadji Dan Asnawi, commander of the 114th Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces-MILF unit.

Tipo-Tipo Mayor Tong Istarul said the attack was not a rido (retaliatory clan conflict) as the gunmen had targeted the town hall.